However, according to Lian Shouyi and Lady He, it means that even though the child belongs to someone else, they should still be filial to them and take on the responsibility of supporting them.

In farmstead families, most spend their entire lives laboring nonstop. Even in old age, they can’t remain idle and always need to be doing something within their ability. Even during the agricultural off-season in villages, very few people do nothing. Those who idle away their time are the most despised by farmstead families.

Lian Shouyi and Lady He are in their prime. People their age usually have to support the old and raise the young, brimming with energy while also bearing the heaviest burden.

However, this couple doesn’t want to bear any burden. On the contrary, they believe it is time for them to enjoy the filial piety of their children.

Erlang’s monthly support cannot be reduced by even a penny. Last time Sanlang returned, Lian Shouyi and Lady He cried about their poverty to him, saying that now that Sanlang is living a good life and has a son, all of the Old Wang Family’s wealth will be his.

If that’s the case, then giving a hundred or so taels of silver to honor their parents should be right and an easy thing to do, shouldn’t it?

They even tried to take credit before Sanlang, saying that if it weren’t for their decision to let him marry into another family, Sanlang would still be working hard like Erlang and couldn’t possibly own a major inn and live in luxury and comfort!

Lian Shouyi and Lady He even want Sanlang to provide them with a monthly allowance for their old age. Sanlang refused, saying he couldn’t decide that. When they saw this was not going to work, they then proposed to follow Sanlang to Taicang to have him support them. Lady He even said she could help Sanlang take care of his child.

Sanlang, unable to withstand his parents’ pestering, ended up having all the silver coins and valuable items he brought with him taken away before he could leave.

Clearly, this couple doesn’t care at all about Lian Yaya and Liulang. However, Lian Manman is certain that once Lian Yaya and Liulang establish their own families, this couple will surely come knocking, demanding support.

Shameless and utterly self-righteous!

"They’ve lost all sense of face, causing trouble endlessly, how irresponsible. They have no humanity at all," Lian Shouxin chimed in with Lady Zhang, "Can people like them even be fit to be parents? What kind of humans are they, really!"

Lian Shouxin utterly detested Lian Shouyi and Lady He.

This topic was too unpleasant, so Lian Manman left the room and went to hers. Dabao had already finished nursing and was babbling with his mother. Lian Manman picked up Dabao and brought him back to the east room. As soon as Dabao arrived, the little bit of anger on Lian Shouxin’s face disappeared, and the family began talking about Dabao.

At noon, the kitchen prepared a sumptuous meal. Lian Manman set a round table on the floor, arranged chairs, and invited everyone to sit down. With nothing to worry about, the family sat together. Lian Zhizhi had coaxed Dabao to sleep and placed him on the kang in the west room, leaving him in the care of the maid Xiao Mei, with Ji Xiang additionally assigned to watch over him.

On the table were two rural-style dishes to accompany drinks, boiled peanuts and edamame, prompting everyone to discuss this year’s harvest.

The fields belonging to Lian Manman’s family naturally had a bumper crop. The dowry fields of the Wu Family and Lian Zhizhi, plus the additional acquisitions over the past two years, now totaled two hundred acres, all yielding an excellent harvest.

"...Still planning to acquire more land?" Lian Shouxin asked Wu Jiaxing.

"I discussed with my father, and we’ll buy quality land if opportunities arise," Wu Jiaxing said while pouring Lian Shouxin a drink, "Even if it’s a bit far, it doesn’t matter, we can rent it to reliable families."

The Wu Family now had a grandson, and with Wu Jiaxing and Lian Zhizhi both young and healthy, more children like Erbao, Sanbao, and Sibao were sure to follow. With the Lian Family’s backing, although the Wu Family remained low-key, they were determined to acquire more fertile land to pass down to future generations.

At the dining table, the conversation continuously revolved around buying land, renting land, and which crops yielded the best returns. This was a topic that Lian Shouxin excelled at and enjoyed, so in his delight, he drank a few more cups.

After the meal, everyone moved to sit on the kang to continue chatting. Lian Shouxin and Wu Jiaxing had both drunk, so Lian Manman specially instructed to serve them strong tea.

"Is Xiao Qi going to the prefecture tomorrow?" Wu Jiaxing asked.